In an election between the two former school board members that both Republicans and Democrats predicted would be close, Hoydick won by a surprisingly wide margin of 1,950 to 1,390, or 58-42 percent, and she took all six voting districts. The 23 percent turnout was slightly above the 20 percent expected for a special election in March, said Democratic Registrar of Voters Rick Marcone.

The outcome means the GOP will hold on to the House seat, which covers most of Stratford, for at least another nine months.

But it's possible Hoydick will have to face Andersen again in November, as Tuesday's winner will have to seek re-election after serving the remaining months of Harkins' term.

Andersen, who was unavailable for comment Tuesday night, had indicated prior to the special election that win or lose she would likely seek the Democratic nomination to run again in November.

Once the results were known, Hoydick walked into her Stratford center campaign headquarters on Main Street, followed by Harkins, to raucous applause. She stood on a chair and thanked her supporters, but warned them not to become complacent.

"I think the message here tonight is that voters are frustrated and not happy with the (Democratic) majority in Hartford. People want jobs, tax cuts and less spending. And I'm going to work on all of that ... before we have to start our campaign all over again in about six months."

Hoydick, who has served as executive director of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, said afterward, "I always believed I would win, but I am humbled and honored and frankly surprised by the margin. Janice Andersen is a good person and a formidable opponent. But the voters told us tonight they are tired of what's been happening with the majority in the state Legislature."

Harkins said Hoydick won the election on her own merits.

"I'm very excited because I believe Laura will be an outstanding state representative and won tonight because voters know what she has meant to Stratford for the past 20 years," Harkins said. "She will work for jobs and spending cuts that the voters clearly want."

Campaign manager Christopher Silhavey said the margin of victory bodes well for November. "It's been a hard-fought campaign, but we have another one in six months, and this kind of win can only help. In November, Laura will also be the incumbent, and she'll be tough to beat."

In a nearly empty Andersen campaign headquarters on Stratford Avenue, Democratic Town Committee Chairman Dave Mooney said he was "very disappointed," and blamed the loss on low voter turnout.

"We didn't get enough Democrats to come out and vote, plain and simple," Mooney said. "I thought it would be a lot closer, but I still think the general election in November will be competitive." Mooney said he did not know whether Andersen would run again in November.